To anyone whos' about to have this surgery here's what it's really like...
Tuesday 10th January
LOBECTOMY DAY
ONLY WATER IN MORNING, NOT EVEN THAT AFTER 6AM (expecting operation at 8am-ish)
Blurry day on morphine. Had a chest X-Ray but not sure when. Operation went well, keyhole, no need to switch it up to open surgery. VATS with just one incision in my side about 6" south of my armpit
Settled down in my recovery room
Wednesday 11th January
Out of recovery, into a regular room (same floor though)
Short visit from surgeon, my recovery is going well. The morphine has been taken away from me (just as well, I tried to use too much!)
Physio turned up for breathing exercises (coming again tomorrow)
On Oxycodone every 4 hours from now on (the nurse keeps forgetting though!) not for pain but to let me breathe...
Drain in my side needed its dressing changed (had started to leak)
Thursday 12th January
Drain tube still not out of me as planned, it's still dribbling, had X-Rays to find out why...
Good chance I go home tomorrow, so packed bag just in case so I'm not rushed
Physio again, just walking me up and down the long corridor. (No problem, but I get out of breath so easily, fixed long-term by gentle exercise like walking.)
Friday 13th January
The drain tube was taken out of my side (I didn't see, probably looked gross)
One last X-Ray to make sure all is okay inside me
Got checked over by the physio, I will need to do shoulder mobility exercises.
Sent home with drugs and letters for doctors
Back in flat at 4pm, had the taxi driver carry my bags up for a humongous tip
I managed to climb the stairs to the 3rd floor non-stop, but didn't half slow down towards the end and was well out of breath at the top, couldn't even speak. (Until I get fitter I'm almost housebound.)
Had a careful wash! First since I left flat (couldn't before, I was all plumbed in with tubes). I need to keep wound as dry as I can for 2 weeks
Continued with the Oxycodone at 7:15pm then 2 paracetamol at 9:45...
Had more Oxycodone at 12:00am
What else?
I had a chest X-Ray every day, results of which will all go online in February
I was on oxygen all the time, but got weaned off the last 2 days
I get out of breath really easily now, but that will improve over time
Pain isn't a problem, I get the occasional twinge but that's all. It's more that the pain killers allow me to breath deeper and so get out of breath less
Occasionally I cough up some bloody gunge (gross!) - good, need to empty it out
On Saturday 14th the pulse-oximeter said 71bpm 98% so not too bad
Am using the step counter on my watch to keep an eye on my activity level, which needs to be gradually increasing day-by-day
I'll need to make an appointment with my GP to get the stitches taken out after a couple of weeks
Googled "Medical News Today - Shoulder Exercises for Bursitis" for good shoulder mobility exercises
Kind regards
Steve
Well, just had phone.call to tell me op cancelled for 2nd time as no anathetist available that day - are going to ring me next week with an update. Waiting game starts again. At least I wasn't in the hospital this time. Will I ever get this operation over and done?
Trish 
Thanks Christie - that sounds reassuring. I'm sure if I have experienced having 2 babies I would be able to cope with the experience you describe about the chest drain removal. Will update you when I get my 3rd date for the op. 
Trish xxx
Oh no Steve, just waiting for my op date, thank god biopsy through my back was fine and I have been told got good lung function. Really helpful ayou sharing these tips. (Not great for you 
hope you are now properly on the road to recovery x
